Veterans left in the lurch as pension system fails The Statesman 31 May 2022 The latest government experiment to have crashed is SPARSH (System for Pension Administration (Raksha)), the new pension paying system for armed forces veterans. Its failure came to light on 01 May when almost 60,000 veterans found their pensions were not credited. Launched in 2021 with […]
The government pushes its agenda The Excelsior 27 May 2022 Service HQs are currently concentrating on countering the proposed Tour of Duty (TOD) scheme as also manpower reduction demands pushed by the government. In case the TOD is thrust down, then the forces need to minimize shortcomings and obtain the best from the worst. The TOD is basically a […]
Why India needs a Chief of Defence Staff more than ever before First Post 09 May 2022 It has been almost five months since General Bipin Rawat, the erstwhile CDS passed away in a tragic helicopter crash. He was mandated to push the boldest reforms which the Indian armed forces were to implement since independence. The creation of theatre […]
Artillery must not be ignored The Excelsior 09 May 2022 The Washington Post in an article dated 30th Apr, titled, ‘Western artillery surging into Ukraine will reshape war with Russia’, quoted US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, speaking alongside his Canadian counterpart, Anita Anand, mentioning that long-range fires will prove ‘decisive’ in the next phase of the war. US, Canada […]
Decoding the defence budget The Statesman 08 Feb 2022 The current budget allocations by the Finance Minister indicated an upswing in government expenditure providing a boost to the economy. Economic development and national security go hand in hand. Addressing a seminar in Delhi in Feb 2018, General Rawat, then army chief, stated, ‘Economic rise takes place if the country […]
Why hesitation in appointing a CDS Chanakya Forum 28 Jan 2022 देश के पहले रक्षा प्रमुख (सीडीएस) जनरल बिपिन रावत की 08 दिसंबर 2021 को हेलीकॉप्टर दुर्घटना में हुई दुखद मृत्यु ने उन सुधारों को धीमा कर दिया, जो सशस्त्र बलों में हो रहे थे। सीडीएस के रूप में जनरल रावत ने स्वतंत्रता के बाद से सशस्त्र बलों द्वारा […]
Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence The Excelsior 26 Jan 2022 India is possibly the only nation on the globe which has land disputes with nuclear powered adversaries on both fronts. Both, China and Pak operate in unison. As a nation, India cannot let its guard down even for a moment. Its armed forces need to possess capabilities to thwart misadventures […]
Honouring Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat: Some boots are hard to fill First Post 11 Dec 2021 It is always said that no one is indispensable. It has also been stated that for one leaving his post, there are multiple in the line. It may be true in most cases but the spontaneous outpouring of grief and […]
A fearless professional The Excelsior 11 Dec 2021 A soldier’s soldier who speaks from his heart, sharing his opinion without concern of repercussions or criticism. He speaks when he is convinced and refuses to withdraw his comments despite pressures. He has time for everyone and never considers himself a cut above, notwithstanding having occupied the top spot in the […]
Time to press pedals on theatre commands The Statesman 09 Nov 2021 A news report last week stated that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Bipin Rawat, had presided over a discussion on creation of theatre commands attended by representatives of the three services. He is stated to have directed them to submit their proposed structures for theatre […]